Separable vault-light lens frame



r 2 1921. Apr! 6 E. J. ALFIERES SEPARABLE VAULT LIGHT LENS FRAME Filed July 5. 1925 gwuentoa Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES EMANUEL .T. ALFIERES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SEPARABLE VAULT-LIGHT LENS FRAME.

Application filed. July 3,

This invention relates to separable vault light lens frames of the kind which are usually embedded in cement or concrete, and are intended to permit the passage of more or less light from above into the vault or other enclosure beneath. Such constructions may be designed only as coverings or side walls of a compartment, and may not be formed to sustain the weight of persons or things passing over them, or they may be built and arranged as a part of the sidewalk or entrance or passageway in a building and be capable of carrying the same load as any other portion of the floor.

The object of this invention is to provide a setting for a vault light in concrete which comprises parts of special construction and disposition, and from which the lens may be taken if broken and replaced by a new lens without disturbing the remaining parts, or the lens and its immediate frame may be similarly removed and renewed if the frame becomes worn or broken.

The special construction and arrangement of the various parts of this invention are illustrated in the accompany ng drawings, of which Fig. 1 represents a. top plan view of the part termed for the purposes of this description, the base. Fig. 2 is a cross-see tion showing all parts assembled and embedded in concrete forming a part of a vault covering or side wall.

Throughout the drawings and description the same number is used'to refer to the same part.

Considering the drawings, the base 1, best illustrated in Fig. 1, has a flat horizontal portion provided with recesses 2 by which the base engages the concrete about it and lines its position temporarily therein when the concrete is placed. The base is removed before the concrete has finally set, or the base may remain in its engagement with the concrete whereby a continuous flat lower surface is formed flush with the bottom of the concrete.

Fig. 2 is a cross-s ction showing all parts assembled in concrete, and in this figure it is also shown that the base 1 has a vertical flange bounding an opening through the base, and against the ext-error of which flange the concrete 3 is located.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the vertical flange 4 is provided with an inner member or lining 5, and this member is re- 1925. Serial No. 41,402.

movable. As illustrated it is made of rubber but may be made of any material desired whether metallic or otherwise. It will be observed that the upper portion of this invention termed herein the lens frame (5 is seated in an annular shoulder 7 formed by the inner member 5 at the top of the vcrtical flange a. As illustrated in all the figures the inner wall of the base termed the vertical flange is an open cylindrical part.

In Fig. 2 it is shown that the lens 8 cemented by suitable material 9 in the frame 6. The non-metallic member 5 may be re moved after all is set, thus permitting the passage of as much light as possible. L

The operation of this invention is as f lows Assume that the lens 8 were crushed and removed, and with it the sealing cement 9. and a new lens is to be placed: If ring or an equivalent were absent the lens 8 coiild not be properly held up and spaced from the frame (3 until the cement would harden. lVith the ring 5 in position, which it holds by frictional engagement with the flange l. it is believed to be clear that the cementinav be deposited as desired, as the lens 8 is carried by ring 5 as shown in Fig. 2.

Having now described this invei'ition. and explained the manner of its use, what I claim is:

1. In devices of the character described, a base provided with a flat horizontal part having means for engaging and fixing the said base 1n concrete, the said base having an opening and a vertical flange bounding the opening, a lens, a lens frame, the said flange extending upwardly to a point above the said base and arranged to supportthe said frame, and means engaging the flange interiorly adapted to support the lens alone within the said frame.

2. In devices of the character described. a base provided with a flat horizontal part, the said base having an opening and a vertical cylindrical flange bounding the said opening, a lens, a lens frame, the said flange extending upwardly toa point above the said base and arranged to support the said frame, and a ring engaging the said flange interiorly and adapted to support the lens alone within the said frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EMANUEL J. ALFIERES. 

